Rescued American (Gracia Burnham) Says Abu Sayyaf 'Common Criminals'

Reuters | June 9, 2002 | Reuters

[repubmom]

She's on her way home! PTL! And Martin is home in the truest sense of the word.

[repubmom]

Just thinking about those kids seeing their mama after a year brings joyful tears to my eyes! Such a bittersweet time for them all. Prayers for grace and strength as they face the memorial service and all the emotions of Gracia's homecoming.

[esmith]

Gracia's brother-in-law said that President Bush had called her and told her He & Laura had prayed for them every day. He asked that she and her children come to the White House so he could talk to the children and maybe help them understand their loss.

[Hipixs]

Recently freed American hostage Gracia Burnham smiles as she is carried on a wheelchair before her departure at Manila's International Airport early Monday, June 10, 2002. Gracia leaves the country after more than a year in captivity by the al-Qaida linked Abu Sayyaf group in southern Basilan island. Her husband Martin and a Filipino hostage, Ediborah Yap, died in a shootout Friday, June 7, when government troops ambushed their captors in the jungles of Zamboanga province, southern Philippines. Gracia was shot through the thigh during the rescue operation. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

[BlessedAmerican]

May God continue to be her ever present Guide through these next days. May He grant patience to her family and her children as they resume their relationship and deal with the lose of their father. May He be their strength.

[homeschool mama]

Agreeing with you in prayer, BA. Amen and Amen.

[dennisw]

TUFF STUFF!!!! No Stockholm syndrome for her. Her husband is gone but her children are there for her.

[Revolting cat!]

They should be treated as common criminals.

But, but but, Tom, Peter and Dan, along with all the nameless, unrecognized for their contributions opinion makers in American newsrooms who so carefully choose descriptors, say they are merely "rebels", like you know, James Dean and Robin Hood.

[repubmom]

How wonderful - what a blessing for her to know that people all over the world -including the president- were praying for her.

[mombonn]

They should be treated as common criminals.

I am SO thrilled to hear she is on her way home with JOY in her heart, as well as spunk!

I can't wait to hear her interviewed, and I'm willing pop anyone in the nose who accuses her of Stockholm syndrome when she speaks.

God bless the Burnham family, and may the reunion be sweet with her entire family.

May the Lord be especially gracious to the children.

[repubmom]

Thanks for posting - she looks wonderful considering her plight for the last year!

[mombonn]

Thank you for this picture - she's BEAUTIFUL!

[MarMema]

I am still in shock and wonder. Look at that photo!!
God surely answers prayers. I just want to cry looking at that photo. This is terrible but I would love to see the first reunion....and hopefully no one will tape it for me or anyone else to see. LOL.
Thank you God and All Glory to you, Oh Lord.
It could have been so much worse. I am really thankful for this one survivor.
Memory Eternal, Martin and Deborah!! The angels celebrate your arrival.

[grimalkin]

She looks great after that horrible ordeal. I hope God grants her and her family peace.

[coydog]

I think "Stockholm Syndrome" is overrated, and is a drummed-up excuse to justify more glorification of savages and more denigration of civilized people. I sincerely regret that Pershing is no longer with us; he knew what to do with these man-shaped monsters.

[McGavin999]

I am in total awe of this woman. May God grant her peace and strength for the time ahead.

BTW, think of the wonderful people who made sure she looked her best for the cameras. There is some woman out there with a really big heart and considerate soul, who thought to help her fix her hair and makeup. Whoever you are, bless you.

[Chemnitz]

They are vermin and worse than that. These cowards cannot fight men. They go after innocents instead. They should be hunted down and eliminated.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Your post #17 AGREE TOTALLY!! Prayers for her and her children. It is so amazing to see how people who are believers handle things that are so horrible. Of course grieving doesn't mean we don't believe (Jesus cried over Lazarus, but then went on to raise him from the dead,.. so many messages there, huh?).. but what I mean is, I sure don't know how people go on without believing. It would seem so hopeless.

She is just an amazing woman. I'm just so sorry this didn't turn out differently,.. but have a feeling this little lady is going to teach us all a few things about "believing". :o)

[ValerieUSA]

Oh, what a heartwarming message from President Bush -- I hadn't heard about that.